Discover the exciting world of game design careers with our guide. Learn about skills, education, job prospects, and how to advance in the industry.
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Game design careers are a blend of art, storytelling, and cutting-edge tech. If you’ve ever wondered about the brains behind your favorite video games, you’re on the right path.
This guide will lead you through the world of game design, the skills you need, the education it requires, and the various career paths you can take.
Game Designer vs. Video Game Developer: What’s the Difference?
While the terms game designer and video game developer often get used interchangeably, they represent distinct roles within the game creation process.
As a game designer, you’d focus on the creative side, crafting the game’s aesthetic, story, characters, gameplay mechanics, and user experience. Meanwhile, a video game developer handles the technical execution, using programming languages to translate the game designer’s vision into a playable game.
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What Skills Are Needed to Become a Game Designer?
Becoming a successful game designer requires a blend of creative, technical, and interpersonal skills. Here are some of the key skills you’ll need:
Deep understanding of gaming dynamics
Ability to conceptualize engaging gameplay mechanics
Strong communication skills for effective teamwork
Proficiency in using data to inform design choices
Ability to create 3D art
Understand level design and interface design
Familiarity with game engines and scripting languages
6 Essential Game Engines Game Designers Use
Game engines are software that help game designers create games. They provide the basic tools and frameworks to develop a game without having to code everything from scratch. Which game engine you decide to use often depends on the type of game you want to create, the platforms you want to support, and your programming skills.
Here are some of the major game engines game designers often work with:
Unity is one of the most popular game engines out there. It’s versatile and supports a wide range of platforms. You can use it to create both 2D and 3D games. Unity is also known for its robust community and wealth of learning resources.
Difficulty: Unity strikes a balance between ease of use and power. It might be a bit challenging for absolute beginners, but there are plenty of learning resources available.
Unreal Engine is another industry favorite. It’s particularly praised for its advanced graphics capabilities. Many AAA games are made with Unreal. It’s ideal for creating high-quality 3D games.
Difficulty: Unreal Engine is quite complex, especially if you delve into its visual scripting system, Blueprints, or use C++. However, it’s highly capable, particularly for 3D games.
Godot is an open-source game engine that’s gaining popularity for its flexibility and ease of use. It supports both 2D and 3D game development. Its unique “scene” system makes it a standout for organizing and managing game elements.
Difficulty: Godot is relatively user-friendly, and its unique design makes it easier to handle game elements. Its own scripting language, GDScript, is similar to Python, which is easier for beginners to learn.
If you’re interested in 2D game design, GameMaker Studio 2 is a great choice. It’s beginner-friendly and emphasizes a drag-and-drop interface, although it also supports its own scripting language, GML.
RPG Maker is a specialized game engine designed for creating role-playing games (RPGs). It’s user-friendly and requires little to no coding, making it a good choice for beginners or those who want to focus more on the storytelling aspect of game design.
CryEngine is a powerful game engine known for its cutting-edge graphics and physics. It’s used in AAA games like the Crysis series and Far Cry.
Difficulty: CryEngine is powerful but has a steep learning curve. It’s best suited for more experienced developers looking to create graphically advanced games.
6 Tools Game Designers Use to Create 3D Art
Game designers use a variety of tools to create 3D art. Each tool has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice often depends on the specific needs of the project and the preferences of the game designer.
Here are some of the most commonly used ones:
This is a free, open-source 3D creation suite. It supports the entire 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking. It’s quite popular because it’s free and very powerful, even matching the capabilities of some paid programs.
Difficulty: Blender has a steep learning curve. It can be overwhelming for beginners, but with time and practice, it becomes manageable.
Maya is a professional-grade 3D modeling and animation tool. Game designers use it for creating and animating 3D characters and environments. It’s often used in the production of big-budget video games.
Difficulty: Maya is a complex 3D software. It’s widely used in the industry, but it requires a significant time investment to master.
3ds Max is used for 3D modeling, animation, and rendering. It’s commonly used in the video game industry for creating 3D assets.
Difficulty: 3ds Max is slightly less complex than Maya but still challenging for beginners. Its interface and workflow are more user-friendly but still require time and practice.
ZBrush is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing, and painting. It’s used for creating high-res models for games and movies.
Difficulty: ZBrush’s interface and workflow are quite unique, making it challenging for beginners. It’s the go-to software for digital sculpting, so mastering it can be highly rewarding.
While known as a game engine, Unity also offers tools for creating and modifying 3D models within the software.
Difficulty: Even though Unity’s 3D modeling tools are relatively easy to use compared to dedicated 3D software, it can be complex to learn, especially if you’re also using it for game development.
This is a 3D modeling, animation, and rendering application. It’s known for its ease of use and powerful high-end tools.
Difficulty: Cinema 4D is known for its user-friendly interface, making it one of the easier 3D software to learn. It’s a good starting point for beginners before moving on to more complex software.
6 Scripting Languages Game Designers Might Find Essential
Each scripting language has a specific role in game design. Its usage depends on what type of game you want to create. Do your research and understand what each language can offer before diving in.
Often used in game design, Python is used for scripting tasks, like automating repetitive tasks and processing data. It’s also used in creating game prototypes.
Difficulty:Python is known for being beginner-friendly and easy to grasp. Its syntax is clean and straightforward, which makes it a good starting point for beginners in game design. There are also ways of learning it for free.
This language powers interactive elements on websites, but it’s also used in game design, especially in web-based games, to make the games responsive and interactive.
Difficulty: The learning curve can be steep if you’re a complete beginner, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it. It is a bit more challenging than Python.
C# is the primary language for Unity, one of the most popular game engines. It’s used in everything from coding game mechanics to scripting artificial intelligence behaviors.
Difficulty: C# is more complex than JS, especially when used in Unity game development. It may be challenging for beginners, but it’s a powerful tool once mastered.
Lua is a lightweight language known for its speed. It’s commonly used in the gaming industry, particularly for scripting game logic and AI. Some popular games, like World of Warcraft and Angry Birds, use Lua.
Difficulty:Lua is lightweight and easy to learn. However, it’s not as widely used as Python or JavaScript, so finding resources might be a bit more challenging.
This is a more complex language, but it’s used in many large-scale game engines like Unreal Engine 4. C++ allows for more control over graphics and hardware, which is essential in creating visually stunning, high-performance games.
Difficulty: C++ is one of the most complex languages to learn. It provides a lot of control, but with that comes complexity. It’s recommended for those with some programming experience. Beginners can try out simpler projects to get them started.
Java is platform-independent, which makes it a good choice if you’re designing games for different platforms. It’s used in Android game development, server-side game development, and creating game engines.
Java is a versatile language, but it’s also quite complex. It’s object-oriented, which can be a challenging concept for beginners. Like C#, it becomes a powerful tool once mastered.
What Education Is Needed to Become a Game Designer?
While some game designers are self-taught, having a degree in a relevant field can give you a competitive edge. And, more colleges are offering specialized programs. A degree in computer science, computer programming, or game development can be beneficial.
Depending on your commitment and available time, you can choose between an associate degree, which typically takes two years, or a bachelor’s degree, which usually takes four years. For further specialization, you can get a master’s degree in game development . Online courses and bootcamps can also be beneficial, providing a flexible way to gain relevant skills.
9 Game Design Career Paths
Game design offers a variety of career paths, each with its prospects and requirements. Refer to the table to learn more.
Build a strong game design portfolio. Working on game projects and documenting your designs can showcase your skill set to potential employers. Internships or volunteer work can also provide you with valuable real-world experience.
When applying for jobs, prepare a well-crafted resume and cover letter highlighting your relevant skills and experiences.
Perform well in screenings, interviews, and any technical assessments required by your desired employer.
Is Game Design a Good Career Choice?
A career in game design can be both rewarding and challenging.
On the plus side, you get to use your creativity and analytical skills, enjoy a competitive salary, and have a stable career due to the high demand in the gaming industry. The downside can include long work hours, tight deadlines, and the need to constantly update and maintain games.
Even though the field is competitive, and the cost of living can be high in areas where game design jobs are concentrated, game design can be a fulfilling and lucrative career choice if you are passionate about gaming and have the necessary skills and education.
Resources for Game Designers
There are several professional organizations that provide scholarships for game design students. These organizations also provide networking and career development opportunities.
International Game Developers Association: The IGDA has over 90 chapters spread across the globe. The association is dedicated to networking, continuing education, and advocacy for game development careers and studies. The IGDA hosts annual conferences to discuss international legislation, major industry achievements, and professional development.
Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interactions: This is a unique professional organization that is dedicated to the ways humans interact with technology. The SIGCHI has chapters across the globe. The group publishes a journal and magazine collecting annual conference highlights, articles, and media that focus on computer-human interactions.
Games Learning Society: GLS members occasionally host open courses online, such as “Video Games and Learning” on Coursera (listed in the section below). The GLS also hosts annual conferences with a doctoral consortium and workshops dedicated to a philosophy of playful learning.
Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences: Students searching for game design and development scholarships can apply to the Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund or the Mark Beaumont Scholarship Fund. This 20,000-member organization is well-known for hosting the D.I.C.E. Awards, which celebrate achievements in gaming.
Several prominent schools, such as MIT and the University of Pennsylvania, have uploaded their game design curricula for online audiences to access for free. Keep in mind that these courses are for personal enrichment and do not yield college credits after completion.
Gamification – University of Pennsylvania: This is a Coursera program provided by the University of Pennsylvania. Instructor Kevin Werbach discusses how game theory and strategy apply to other disciplines, such as business and finance. Webach covers the psychology of motivation and incentive, which drives the actions of gamers, investors, employees, and customers.
Game Design – MIT: Both undergraduate and graduate students can participate in this MIT course led by Philip Tan and Jason Begy. Participants gain access to audio lectures, projects, and transcripts covering the design and theory of tabletop games. Students engage with concepts such as iterative design, prototyping, probability, genre, and puzzles. Students design their own card game, board game, and a game for a client by the end of this course.
Game Design – edX: This seven-week course involves six content units that emphasize design iteration, user testing, and paper and digital prototyping. Learners use Gameblox software to hone new skills. The program attracts prospective and current game designers who want to learn new skills. After the course, students can receive an edX certificate for a small fee.
Introduction to Game Development With Unity – Udemy: Both game design students and professionals turn to Udemy to gain additional skills that help them create a strong professional portfolio. This course introduces learners to Unity, a free game-creation software platform. Coursework emphasizes creating in-game objects, lighting effects, and camera angles. Users can preview this course for free.
Introduction to Game Design – California Institute of the Arts: This introductory course covers simple games, game mechanics, and storytelling. Learners work together over four weeks, and the capstone project involves creating an original board game. This course does not require computer programming skills.
Online journals can help students and current game designers stay current on ethics, politics, business trends, and best practices in game design. These periodicals typically contain cutting-edge tech developments and academic observations.
Game Studies: This periodical is dedicated to multidisciplinary advancements within the field of gaming. The editorial board is composed of representatives from the IT University of Copenhagen, Lund University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and researchers from Finland. Game Studies welcomes submissions from international scholars and professionals. New issues are released twice a year.
International Journal of Design: This is a multidisciplinary journal dedicated to various facets of design, including visual communications, animation, user interface, and gaming design. The first volume was released in 2007, and new issues are published three times a year. Writers are encouraged to submit reviews, original articles, and design case studies that are professionally or academically relevant.
Ada Journal of Gender, New Media, and Technology: This is a feminist publication managed, edited, and published by Fembot Collective and the University of Oregon. Articles dive deep into gaming theory, gender studies, and queer rhetoric. Ada welcomes feminist submissions on technology, gaming, media, and gender. New issues are released twice a year.
International Journal of Computer Games Technology: This journal, founded in 2007, is dedicated to advancements in gaming technology and interactive media. Readers can find over 100 articles within the IJCGT archives, which explore subjects like body motion sensors, motivational gaming elements, auditory gaming enhancement, and game immersion psychology.
There are many technical guides to game design available in both print and digital formats. These volumes emphasize the importance of various skill sets, including programming, storyboarding, illustration, and marketing. Some of these authors are responsible for penning stories for some of the most popular modern video games.
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses: This book explores the fundamentals of gaming by exploring popular board games, video games, card games, and other types of interactive media. Author Jesse Schell describes the basic skills that game designers must cultivate in order to succeed in their field. Schell delves into the elements that create a unique and fun game experience, such as theme, problems, loops, and psychology.
A Theory of Fun for Game Design: Author Raph Koster delves into what individuals learn from games, the challenges they have with learning, and the place of gaming in our culture.
Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design: Scott Rogers has put together a comprehensive guide for game designers and developers. This book is available in both print and digital formats. Level Up! is full of nods to geek culture, with references to n00bs, character tropes, and common gaming memes. This book teaches readers to design a game from scratch, from writing the story to distributing your title and making a profit.
The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design: You might recognize Flint Dille and John Zuur Platten from their work on the Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. These two writers distill their years of game creation in this how-to volume for aspiring game makers. They take a very direct approach to writing and design, walking readers through storytelling, structure, character formation, and team interactions.
Digital format game magazines are quickly overtaking print publications. The advantage to a digital periodical is that columnists and contributors can illustrate their points with graphics, videos, and interactive widgets. Below are several key magazines in the field.
Game Developer: This digital publication focuses on the creative and business aspects of game creation. Previously known as Gamasutra, it has enjoyed a lengthy online presence, appearing on the Internet back in 1997 to supplement its print publication.
Edge: Edge publishes features on current gaming trends, news on business developments within the gaming industry, and reviews of upcoming titles. They also have a unique “Get into Games” section that demystifies the gaming industry as a career field, posting interviews and biographies about professionals who are currently working on major releases.
ACM Interactions: This is the official online magazine of the Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interactions. Features cover topics like haptics and wearable game controllers to steampunk UI designs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Game Design Careers
Video game designers are tasked with crafting the gameplay experience, which includes creating the game’s systems, rules, and narrative elements. They work on the game’s mechanics to ensure it is enjoyable and engaging. They also handle story development, dialogue, and level design.
Collaborating with other design team members, they use various software tools to bring their concepts to life while also considering player feedback and market trends.
Game design encompasses much more than coding; it involves the creative process of designing gameplay, characters, and storylines. While game designers may work with programmers, their primary focus is on the conceptual and creative aspects of game development.
To begin learning game design, start with the basics of game mechanics and storytelling, then choose a game engine like Unity or Unreal to practice with. Learn a programming language used in game design, such as C# or C++, and create your own games to build experience.
Develop a strong portfolio showcasing your work and engage with the game design community through game jams and forums. Continuously learn and consider specializing as the industry evolves. Formal education is not mandatory, but it can help. Practical skills and experience are crucial.
While a degree is not required for many game developer positions, it can enhance your competitiveness in the job market. Employers often value practical experience and a strong portfolio just as much as a formal education.
Larger companies may prefer candidates with degrees, and during competitive times, such as a recession, a degree could be a deciding factor. Essential skills that could be gained through a degree include critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Game design can be a rewarding career for those passionate about video games and creativity, offering opportunities to craft fantasy worlds and various game elements. Though game design is competitive, the industry is growing, and you can specialize in areas like graphics or sound effects to stand out in the market. Be prepared for stiff competition, potentially long hours, and varying compensation.
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